Church Street

Church neighboring daily life.

Forming Forming

Baptized

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in (eis) the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit... — Matthew 28:19

And whoever welcomes one such child in (epi) my name welcomes me. — Matthew 18:5

When we are baptized, we are immersed, not just into water and fire, but into (Greek eis) God's name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Following baptism, we represent him in all that we say and do in (Greek epi) his name.

What we must not do is take (bear) God's name in vain, misuse his name.

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A Different Dashboard

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy... ⏤ 1 Peter 1:8

Another day, this might have been a flyover verse. But today I noticed how Peter is applauding something. What gets celebrated gets repeated, right? He praises surrender and obedience to Christ, values wholehearted dependence, and admires those who are filled with joy, despite hardship. While we like to count things, Peter's dashboard is entirely qualitative. That seems important.

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Holy and Profane

They are to teach my people the difference between the holy and the common and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean. ⏤ Ezekiel 44:23

We have been conditioned to view things as either good or bad, right or wrong. But God's categories are holy and profane, sacred and common. Things are either set apart to him, or they’re not. What is holy is always good, because God himself is good. What is sacred is always right, because God is righteous. When I look at my own life—people, places, and things—are they holy or profane? And what about the deepest parts of me?

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